Stephen James Schaefer

July 30, 2014

GREEN VALLEY, Ariz.?- Stephen J. Schaefer, 62, of Green Valley, Ariz., formerly of Elmore, Minn. and Burnsville, Minn., passed away Sunday, July 20, 2014, at the VA Hospital in Tucson, Ariz. A private graveside service will be held Friday, Aug. 1, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Immediately following, there will be a memorial luncheon at the American Legion in Apple Valley. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Stephen was born June 15, 1952. He was a 1970 graduate of Elmore Senior High School in Elmore, Minn. He attended college at the Bell and Howell Institute in Chicago, Ill., before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1972 where he was a PFC with the 1st Battalion, 67th Air Defense Artillery division. Steve was married to Shelley R. (Baxter) on June 14, 1975, in Blue Earth. He worked with his father on the family farm outside Elmore, Minn. from 1978 to 1991, and at Northwest Airlines from 1991 to 2006 before retiring to Green Valley, Ariz. in 2006. Steve was an active member of the American Legion both in Minnesota and Arizona. He enjoyed nothing better than having a good time with those he loved and will be deeply missed.